By Harry Constable
The famous Big Potato has undergone a makeover to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Babe film being released in theatres.
Many of the nearby farms in the Robertson area were used as locations for the 1995 family classic, taking advantage of the picturesque countryside.
The Big Potato, or Big Spud as it is also commonly known, has been a landmark for the small town of Robertson since its construction back in 1977, showcasing the main crop grown in the area.
The mural, painted by local Illawarra artist Samuel Hall, covers the whole of the structure and depicts Babe with her trusty friends Ferdinand the duck and the three singing mice.
Babe was nominated seven times at the 1996 Academy Awards, taking out the prize for Best Visual Effects, as well as collecting the 1995 Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture.
The movie has since become synonymous with the Southern Highlands area, showcasing some of the more scenic areas that the NSW South Coast has to offer.
The Wingecarribee Shire council plans on hosting Babe’s country fair on the 5th of October.
Featured image: The Big Potato is now the Pig Potato thanks to local artist Samuel Hall. Photo: Harry Constable
